Push-button switch



June 12, 1928. 1,673,667

F. C. DE REAMER PUSH BUTTON SWITCH Filed OQ'IJ. '7, 1924 IT'IVQTTROI:

Hi5 Attorn Patented June 12,, 1928.

IRAN! C. DE BELIER, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR 130 GENERAL ELEG ,TRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

PATENT OFFICE.

rnsnnu'rrroir swnron.

Application filed October 7, 1924. Serial No. 742,237. I

in the latter and holes 6 in the disk 3 and The i present invention relates to electrichouse wiring devices and more especially to push'button switches for makin and break-- ing the electric circuit in incan escent lamp sockets and similar devices. 1

In small electrical apparatus like lamp sockets, the space given up to the switch structure is-so limited that the parts thereof must be few in number and that the making and breaking of the circuit take place between parts moving with a spring action entirely independent of the hand-operated part. As a consequence of these limitations,

the sockets having push button switch movements heretofore on the market have been provided with movable pole pieces and stationary contacts that made only surface or touching contact when in closed position, which, as is well known, is liableto otter resistance to theflow of current, causing heating and injury of the switch parts. The use of wedging or rubbing contacts in such sockets has not been-heretofore found practical for the reason that the degree of friction between the rubbing contacts sometimes be- 7 comes too reat or the strength of the spring too weak or proper separation of the parts" when the hand-operated part is moved to efiect opening of the switch. I

The object of my invention is the provision of an improved push button switch adapted for incorporation in lamp sockets and other small devices which shall have high current interrupting capacity, which shall consist of few and sturdy parts and which shall be of low cost to manufacture.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the interior structure of an incandescent lamp socket; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the base and switch parts, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the princi a1 parts-disassembled.

The soc et interior shown has an insulating base';1 of orcelain. or other insulating material wit its outer wall generally cylindrical and'its ends plane surfaces, in the up er of which is formed a transverse slot 2 or the reception of the switch mechenga ing tapped holes in a horseshoe-shaped part overlying an inturned flange 8 of the screw shell 4, the latter being provided with a binding post 9 for connection with a line wire.

The transverse slot 2 of the base has semicylindrical end portions ,10 with transverse walls 11 between, them and the center of the base. Vertical ways 12 are formed in the side walls of the slot 2 on opposite sides of the center ofthe baseand a guide groove 13 extends down through the transverse walls 11 and nearly to the bottom end of the base.

The actuating member of the switch is a V-shaped metal slide 14 with push buttons 15 attached in alignment to the opposite legs 16 thereof. base the lower edge of the V-shaped slide 14 will be received in the guide groove 13 and be free tomove longitudinally therein, while the upper endsof the legs 16 will contact. with the under surface of the insulating disk 3 and the push buttons be disposed in the cylindrical end portions 10 of the main slot. y

The movable pole piece 17 is a U-shaped metal punching with the ends 18 of its arms When assembled in the 19 turned outwardly to form pivots adapted formed respectively in the inner central portions of the'Vshaped actuator and the free end of the U-shaped pole piece. This arrangement of a tensile spring between the crossed actuator and pole piece tends to force the pivoted ends of the pole 'piece downwardly against the bottom ends of their ways 12 and the slide 14 upwardly Withthe ends of its spaced legs 16 against the smooth bearing surface of the insulating disk 3, and as a consequence substantially all friction between the slide and the porcelain base is avoided.

Upon moving the slide 14 back and forth in the guide groove 13, the lower end of the spring 20 is carried toward the pivotal axis of the pole piece 17, tensioning the spring and as the axis is passed the pole piece its ends looped through holes 21 and 22 spring 23 is provided at its rear end with an will engage the transverse portion of they pole piece and positively start it on its way.

The stationary contacts are' phosphor bronze leaf springs 23 and 24 with inwardly inclined free ends adapted for rubblng contact with the pole piece 1.7when the latter is moved to the left or on position. Contact att-achmentlug 25 by which it is secured to the base by a rivet or screw passing through a hole '26, and extending; from the outer end of the lug 25 is a center contact arm 27 which is folded over the insulating disk 3, the latter being peripherally notched at 28 for the reception of the same. Contact spring 24 is provided at its rear end with a folded over lug portion 29 for attachment to the base 1 by a screw or rivet in a hole 30 and'extendin downwardl from the outer end is a binding post 31 or the reception of the second line wire. I

When the movable pole piece 17 is in theleft or on position, current will flow from the line wire attached to binding post 31 to free cndof the leaf spring contact 24, through the pole piece to the opposite leaf spring contact 23, through the latter and its integrally connected center contact arm 27, then through the lamp to the screw shell 4 and its binding post 9 to the-second line wire.

While I have shown and described the best embodiment of the invention known to me, I do not desire to be restricted thereto.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A push button switch comprising an insulating base, an actuating slide mounted for longitudinal movement on said base and provided with spaced legs, a movable pole piece pivoted transversely of said slide and extending across the path of movement of movement in said slot and the said spaced legs to be engaged thereby in case of hanging at either end of its movement, and a tensile rin connected at its respective ends to said slide and said pole piece.

2. A, push button switch comprising an insulating base provided with a guide ove, an ac uating slide in said groove avin space legs outside said groove, a U-shape movable pol'e piece pivoted transversely of said groove with its free end in the path of movement of said legs to be en aged thereby in case of hanging at either enr l of its movement, and a tensile sprin connected at its respective ends to said slide and said pole piece.

, 3.. A push button switch comprising an insulating base provided with a transverse slot in one end thereof, leaf spring contacts secured to said base with the free ends thereof disposed on opposite sides of said slot, an actuating slide mounted for lon 'tudmal rovi ed with spaced legs directed outward y, a U-shaped movable pole piece dpivoted at its lower end transversely of sai slot and directed outwardly between said spaced legs, and a tensile spring having its ends respectively connected to said slide between said spaced legs and to'thc outer portion of said pole piece.

4. A push button switch comprising an insulating base provided with a transverse slot in one end thereof, an insulating disk secured to the slotted end of said base, an actuating slide mounted for lon 'tudinal movement in said slot and provi ed with spaced legs adapted to engage the inner surface of said disk, a U-shaped movable pole piece pivoted at its ends in and transversely of said slot and its free end directed outwardly between said spaced legs, and a tensile spring having its ends respectivel connected to said slide between said space legs and to the free end of said pole piece.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of September, 1924.

FRANK C. DE REAMER. 

